With a 'Spirit and Promptitude'

The Revenue Cutter Service—precursor of today’s U.S. Coast Guard—played a significant role in the War of 1812.

On 18 June 1812, President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. At that time, the United States faced the Royal Navy’s fleet of 600 warships with just 17 of its own, a fleet of small navy gunboats along with 14 cutters. The day war was declared, Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin sent a one-sentence circular to his customs collectors, writing, “Sir, I hasten to inform you that War was this day declared against Great Britain.”

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